As a revolutionary people, we Americans won a probable victory over the best and biggest army in the world because we learned to fight from the Indians. You can do a lot of damage with a Kentucky rifle from behind a tree. You don't put on a peaked hat and a red coat and white leggings and crossed white bandoleers with a big silver buckle in the center of the X and march uphill into a line of Howitzers loaded with chain and chopped horseshoes.
The quote highlights the ingenuity and adaptability of the American revolutionaries in their struggle for independence. It suggests that their success in defeating a formidable British army was partly due to the tactical lessons they learned from Native Americans. The mention of using a Kentucky rifle while taking cover illustrates the effectiveness of guerrilla warfare, contrasting sharply with the formal combat techniques practiced by British forces.
Additionally, the imagery used in the quote emphasizes the absurdity of traditional military tactics when faced with the realities of combat. The reference to British soldiers clad in ceremonial attire and marching into battle reflects a rigid approach that ultimately proved less effective against a more flexible and resourceful opponent. Burke's words serve as a reminder that innovation and unconventional strategies can lead to victory even against overwhelming odds.